EP2605661B1 - Steam cooker - Google Patents

Description

The invention is based on a steam cooking apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1.

From the publication DE 10 2007 005 502 A1 is a Dampfgargerätvorrichtung with a cooking space limiting muffle and with a steam generator having an evaporation unit and a Garraumentwässerungsvorrichtung known. Documents US5767487 . JP2008154924 and JP2007229379 moreover constitute a relevant prior art for the invention.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a generic device with improved properties in terms of operator comfort.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1, while advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention can be taken from the dependent claims.

The invention is based on a steam cooking appliance with a cooking space delimiting muffle and with a steam generator having an evaporation unit and a Garraumentwässerungsvorrichtung.

It is proposed that the Garraumentwässerungsvorrichtung has an actively closable valve unit which retains a liquid fluid in at least one operating state. A "cooking space" is to be understood, in particular, as meaning a space which is intended to receive a food to be cooked during a cooking process. Preferably, the muffle on a particular closable opening through which the food is introduced and removed from the cooking chamber. In particular, the term "evaporation unit" is to be understood as a unit which heats a fluid during operation and thereby causes a phase transition of at least part of the fluid from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase. Preferably, the gaseous fluid is intended to be introduced into the cooking chamber. By "provided" is intended to be understood in particular specially programmed, designed and / or equipped. A "Garraumentwässerungsvorrichtung" is to be understood in particular a device, which in at least one operating state, at least one liquid fluid out of the cooking chamber. Preferably, the Garraumentwässerungsvorrichtung directs the fluid at a lowest point of the cooking chamber from the cooking chamber. Advantageously, the Garraumentwässerungsvorrichtung is provided to derive the fluid by gravity from the cooking chamber. In this context, a "valve unit" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, an externally switchable unit which is provided to prevent dehydration of the cooking chamber, in particular controlled by a control unit. Preferably, a drainage line connects the muffle to the residual water tank via the valve. The term "actively closable" should in particular be understood to mean that the valve unit is designed to be closable by a control unit and / or by an operator. It is advantageous for the valve unit to be closed by a blocked fluid independently, that is to say, in particular, that the valve unit can not be opened and / or closed by a jammed fluid. Preferably, the valve unit to an actively closable valve. A "fluid" is to be understood in particular as meaning a substance which does not resist any slow shear. Preferably, the fluid is formed as a liquid and / or as a gas. By "retaining" is to be understood in particular that the valve unit prevents the fluid from flowing out of the sleeve. The inventive design of Dampfgargerätvorrichtung can structurally simple leave a condensing fluid in the muffle depending on the operating state in the muffle or be particularly easily derived, which in particular a fluid consumption can be reduced. As a result, a particularly high operator comfort is possible.

In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the steam cooking appliance device comprises a heating means, in particular a bottom heat, which is provided to evaporate the retained fluid, in particular at least partially in the drainage line and / or advantageously in the muffle. Preferably, the evaporation unit is formed separately from the heating means. Under a "bottom heat" is to be understood in particular a heating element, which is arranged on one side of the muffle, which faces a footprint. Preferably, the lower heat is provided to heat the cooking chamber. By the heating means, the retained fluid can be structurally evaporated easily and with little effort, whereby a consumption of fluid can be minimized.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the steam generator has at least one water tank, whereby a supply network independent operation is possible. A "water tank" is to be understood in particular as meaning a unit which has at least one catchment area for collecting a liquid. Advantageously, the steam generator to a residual water tank and a fresh water tank, whereby a particularly high level of security can be achieved with a high ease of use. In particular, a resulting residual water and a used descaling agent can be collected separately from a fresh water. A "residual water tank" is to be understood in particular as meaning a tank which delimits a catchment area which is separated from a catchment area bounded by a fresh water tank. During a cooking operation, the residual water tank preferably catches at least part of a fluid coming out of the cooking space and / or a descaling agent on a descaling agent. Preferably, the residual water tank and the fresh water tank in a proper operation waterproof, particularly preferably gas-tight, separated. The residual water tank preferably receives a fluid in at least one operating state. A "fresh water tank" is to be understood in particular as meaning a tank which is intended to be filled externally with a fluid, in particular with water and / or with a cleaning fluid. Preferably, a pump removes the fluid from the fresh water tank in at least one operating condition.

It is further proposed that the Garraumentwässerungsvorrichtung has a drainage line, which is intended to direct a fluid from the cooking chamber in the water tank, advantageously in the residual water tank, whereby a condensed fluid can be removed from the muffle comfortably and independently of a disposal network. A "drainage line" should in particular be understood to mean a device which at least guides liquid fluid out of the cooking space.

It is also proposed that the water tank, advantageously the residual water tank, at least partially disposed below a steam inlet opening of the muffle, whereby the muffle much space, especially on a horizontal plane, is available and whereby a structurally simple drainage of the muffle and the evaporation unit can be achieved can. In particular, accessories such as baking trays of standardized dimensions may be used. By the phrase "arranged under a steam inlet opening of the muffle" should be understood in particular that the water tank at least is partially disposed between a plane defined by a footprint of the Dampfgargeräts plane and a parallel plane which intersects the steam inlet opening of the muffle. At least 25%, advantageously at least 50%, of a catchment area of the water tank and particularly advantageously the entire catchment area of the water tank should be understood as "at least partially". Preferably, the catchment area of the water tank is located below a lowest level which intersects the muffle and which is aligned parallel to the footprint.

In addition, it is proposed that the water tank, advantageously the fresh water tank, at least partially disposed below the muffle, whereby the muffle much space, especially on a horizontal plane, is available.

Furthermore, it is proposed that at least the water tank, advantageously the residual water tank, has a fill level detection. A "filling level detection" is to be understood in particular to mean a device which detects at least one parameter dependent on an amount of a fluid in the collecting area of the residual water tank. Preferably, the fresh water tank on a level detection. Due to the level detection, a particularly reliable and comfortable operation is possible.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the steam generator has at least one tank detection, whereby a particularly reliable operation is possible. A "tank detection" should in particular be understood to mean a device which, in at least one operating state, generates a parameter which has at least information about an arrangement of the fresh water tank and / or advantageously of the residual water tank. The parameter preferably has information about a proper arrangement of the fresh water tank and / or advantageously of the residual water tank for operation.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the steam cooking device has a cooking chamber bypass, which is intended to discharge a fluid from a steam outlet of the evaporation unit. In particular, a "vapor outlet of the evaporation unit" is to be understood as meaning an opening of the evaporation unit through which steam exits the evaporation unit in the direction of the cooking chamber during a steam-cooking operation. In particular, the term "cooking compartment bypass" is understood to mean a line be operatively parallel to a running through the cooking space line path and thereby bypasses the cooking chamber. Advantageously, the cooking chamber bypass runs from a steam outlet of the evaporation unit to an outflow, in particular into a disposal network, to the fresh water tank and / or advantageously to the residual water tank. As a result, structurally simple, particularly convenient operation and efficient cleaning can be achieved. In particular, with little effort the steam generator can be advantageously rinsed before each steam cycle operation.

In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the steam generator has a valve unit which is at least provided to discharge the fluid from the steam outlet either into the cooking chamber or through the cooking chamber bypass. A "valve unit" is to be understood in particular a unit which has at least one valve. Preferably, the valve unit has an at least 2-way valve. Additionally or advantageously alternatively, the valve unit could comprise two valves which are each operatively connected on one side to the steam generator. The phrase "either in the cooking chamber or by the cooking chamber bypass" is to be understood in particular that the valve unit has at least one valve position, wherein the valve unit directs the fluid only in the cooking chamber, and has a further valve position, wherein the valve unit, the fluid only passes through the cooking compartment bypass. On the one hand, an efficient cleaning and, on the other hand, an efficient steam-cooking operation are possible by the valve unit, in particular in that an undesired ingress of fluid into a region of the steam cooking appliance device can be prevented in one operating state. For example, penetration of descaling agent into the cooking chamber can be avoided.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the Dampfgargerätvorrichtung has a control and / or control unit which is provided, at least during descaling and / or cleaning the fluid via the valve unit via the cooking compartment bypass derived, whereby a particularly comfortable operation can be achieved. In particular, the control and / or control unit can process operator inputs. A "control and / or control unit" is to be understood in particular a unit having at least one control unit. The control unit preferably has at least one processor unit and a memory unit and an operating program stored in the memory unit. In particular, the phrase "in a descaling and / or cleaning" a process are understood in which a fluid transported out of the evaporation unit dirt and / or lime.

In addition, it is proposed that the steam generator comprises at least one line which, in at least one operating state, supplies a fluid from the water tank, advantageously from the residual water tank, to the evaporation unit, whereby a particularly comfortable and safe descaling program is structurally possible. In particular, a descaling agent can thereby be introduced into the residual water tank, whereby contamination of the fresh water tank is excluded and replenishment of fresh water in the fresh water tank between descaling and rinsing is eliminated.

In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the steam generator has a residual water tank and a fresh water tank and a valve unit which is provided to switch between a supply line to the evaporation unit from the residual water tank and a supply line to the evaporation unit of the fresh water tank, whereby a particularly comfortable decalcification and / or a particularly comfortable steam cooking operation can be achieved, in particular because the residual water tank can serve as a reserve. Preferably, the valve unit has an at least 2-way valve. Additionally or advantageously alternatively, the valve unit could comprise two valves which are each operatively connected on one side to the steam generator. In addition, the invention is based on a method with a steam cooking appliance with a cooking space limiting muffle and with a steam generator having an evaporation unit and a Garraumentwässerungsvorrichtung.

It is proposed that in at least one operating state, a liquid fluid is retained in the cooking chamber.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a front view of a steam cooking appliance with a Dampfgargerätvorrichtung invention,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of Dampfgargerätvorrichtung from Fig. 1 with a Garrauterewässerung and

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of Garraumentwässerung Fig. 2 ,

Fig. 1 shows a steam cooker 10 with a Dampfgargerätvorrichtung 12. The Dampfgargerät 10 is designed as a steam oven. The Dampfgargerätvorrichtung 12 has a cooking chamber 14 limiting muffle 16, a cooking chamber door 18, an operator interface 20 and a steam generator 22. The steam generator 22 has a residual water tank 24 and a fresh water tank 26. The residual water tank 24 and the fresh water tank 26 are disposed below the muffle 16, between a footprint 28 of the steam cooking appliance 10 and the muffle 16. The residual water tank 24 and the fresh water tank 26 are formed as drawers. They are supported by a non-illustrated operator pulled out. In this case, they are arranged at a closed cooking chamber door 18 under the cooking chamber door 18. Alternatively, a residual water tank and a fresh water tank could be arranged behind the cooking chamber door 18 and, in particular, be removable only when the cooking chamber door 18 is open. The residual water tank 24 and the fresh water tank 26 have a volume of the art that appears reasonable to the person skilled in the art. The residual water tank 24 and the fresh water tank 26 have different capacity. In this case, the fresh water tank 26 is larger than the residual water tank 24. A pump 30 of the steam generator 22 is also disposed below the muffle 16. Alternatively or additionally, the pump 30 could be arranged behind the muffle 16, that is to say on a side of the muffle 16 facing away from the cooking chamber door 18.

Fig. 2 shows in particular the steam generator 22 in a schematic representation. The steam generator 22 has an evaporation unit 32, the pump 30, a first valve unit 34 and a second valve unit 36. In a steaming operation, the pump 30 draws a fluid, in this case water, from the fresh water tank 26 through the first valve unit 34. The pump 30 directs the fluid into the evaporation unit 32. A heating means 38 of the evaporation unit 32 vaporizes the fluid. In a steam-cooking operation, the second valve unit 36 passes the steam through a steam inlet opening 40 of the muffle 16 into the muffle 16, that is into the cooking chamber 14. The evaporation unit 32 has a Level detection 42 on. The level detection 42 detects a characteristic over a level of the fluid in the heating means 38th

In addition, the steam generator 22 has a cooking chamber bypass 44. During decalcification, the second valve unit 36 directs a fluid, in this case a descaling agent, into the cooking chamber bypass 44 instead of the muffle 16. The cooking chamber bypass 44 directs the fluid from a steam outlet 46 of the evaporation unit 32 directly into the residual water tank 24. Gravity moves the fluid. During decalcification, the second valve unit 36 closes a conduction path to the steam inlet opening 40 of the muffle 16. In a steam cooking operation, the second valve unit 36 closes a conduction path through the cooking chamber bypass 44 and opens a conduction path to the steam inlet opening 40 of the muffle 16. Thus, the second valve unit 36 the fluid from the evaporation unit 32 in a steam cooking operation only in the cooking chamber 14 and a descaling by the cooking chamber bypass 44 only in the residual water tank 24. Alternatively or additionally condensed fluid could be discharged through the cooking chamber bypass 44 in a steam cooking operation. The second valve unit 36 is formed as a three-way valve.

The residual water tank 24 and the fresh water tank 26 each have a level detection 48. The fill level detection 48 detects a parameter that includes a fill level of the respective tank 24, 26. The fill level detection 48 of the fresh water tank 26 detects at least when a catchment area of the fresh water tank 26 is empty. The fill level recognition 48 of the residual water tank 24 detects at least when a catchment area of the residual water tank 24 is full. In addition, the steam generator 22 has two tank detections 50. The tank detectors 50 provide characteristics that describe whether the fresh water tank 26 or the residual water tank 24 are properly inserted into the steam cooking appliance 10.

The steam cooking appliance 10 has a control and / or control unit 52. The control and / or control unit 52 is not shown in detail lines with the operator interface 20, with the pump 30, with the first valve unit 34, with the second valve unit 36, with the heating means 38, with the level detection 42, with the level detectors 48th and connected to the tank detectors 50. In addition, the control and / or control unit 52 controls a timing of the steam-cooking operation and the decalcification. In this case, the control and / or control unit 52 directs the fluid by means of the second valve unit 36 from the evaporation unit 32 during descaling and / or cleaning directly to the residual water tank 24. The operator can influence the action of the control and / or control unit 52 by means of the user interface 20. In addition, the control and / or control unit 52 indicates to the operator via the operator interface 20 when an action is required by the operator, for example when descaling.

Furthermore, the steam generator 22 has an in Fig. 3 Garraumentwässerungsvorrichtung 54 shown in more detail. The drainage device 56 comprises a drainage line 56 and a valve unit 58. The drainage line 56 connects a lowest point 60 of the muffle 16 via the valve unit 58 with the residual water tank 24. The valve unit 58 closes actively activated by the control and / or control unit 52 during a steam cycle operation the drainage line 56. As a result, condensed steam accumulates in the muffle 16. This can be vaporized by means of a lower heat 62 of the steam cooking appliance 10 again. In addition, the control and / or control unit 52 can open the drainage line 56 by means of the valve unit 58. Then, the condensed fluid flows by gravity into the residual water tank 24. Alternatively, or in addition to the drainage line 56, the muffle 16 could have other, for those skilled in the appear appropriate expirations for a fluid. Between the lower heat 62 and the residual water tank 24, a thermal insulation, not shown, is arranged.

The steam generator 22 comprises a line 64 which, in the case of a descaling or a steam-cooking operation, carries a fluid, here a descaling agent or water, from the residual-water tank 24 to the evaporation unit 32. For this purpose, this line is connected to the first valve unit 34. The pump 30 sucks the fluid from the residual water tank 24 and delivers it to the evaporation unit 32. The fluid flows back into the residual water tank 24 during descaling from the evaporation unit 32 by gravity through the cooking chamber bypass 44. In a steam cooking operation, the residual water tank 24 serves as a reserve and as part of a cycle for the steam cooking operation. The fluid passes from the evaporation unit 32 via the cooking chamber 14 back into the residual water tank 24th

The conduit 64 thus forms part of a circulation of the fluid through the evaporation unit 32, a cooking chamber 14 and the residual water tank 24. The conduit 64 has a filter 66. The filter 66 cleans the fluid before it enters the evaporation unit 32. Thus, the filter 66 forms part of the circuit. The filter 66 is cleaned with a fluid coming from the evaporation unit 32 back into the residual water tank 24 flows or is pumped. After descaling, the control and / or control unit 52 switches over the first valve unit 34 and flushes the evaporation unit 32 with fresh water from the fresh water tank 26. In addition, the control and / or control unit 52 rinses the evaporation unit 32 immediately before a steam-cooking operation. Alternatively or additionally, the pump 30 could aspirate a descaling agent from the fresh water tank 26.

reference numeral

10 Steam cooker 60 Job 12 Dampfgargerätvorrichtung 62 under heat 14 oven 64 management 16 muffle 66 filter 18 oven door 20 Operator Interface 22 steam generator 24 Residual water tank 26 Fresh water tank 28 footprint 30 pump 32 Evaporation unit 34 first valve unit 36 second valve unit 38 heating 40 Steam inlet port 42 level detection 44 Garraumbypass 46 steam output 48 level detection 50 tank detections 52 Control and / or control unit 54 Garraumentwässerungsvorrichtung 56 drain pipe 58 valve unit

Claims (13)

1. Steam cooker device (12) with a muffle (16) which delimits a cooking compartment (14) and with a steam generator (22) having an evaporation unit (32) and a cooking compartment drainage device (54), wherein the cooking compartment drainage device (54) has an actively closable valve unit (58) which retains a liquid fluid in at least one operating state, and wherein the steam generator (22) has at least one water tank (24, 26), characterised in that the cooking compartment drainage device (54) has a drainage pipe (56) which is provided to channel a fluid from the cooking compartment (14) into the water tank (24).
2. Steam cooker device according to claim 1, characterised by a heating means (62) which is provided to evaporate the retained fluid.
3. Steam cooker device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the water tank (24, 26) is arranged at least partially below a steam inlet opening (40) of the muffle (16).
4. Steam cooker device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the water tank (24, 26) is arranged at least partially below the muffle (16).
5. Steam cooker device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least the water tank (24, 26) has a fill level detection.
6. Steam cooker device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the steam generator (22) has at least one tank detection (50).
7. Steam cooker device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a cooking compartment bypass (44) which is provided to channel off a fluid from a steam outlet (46) of the evaporation unit (32).
8. Steam cooker device according to claim 7, characterised in that the steam generator (22) has a valve unit (36) which is at least provided to channel off the fluid from the steam outlet (46) either into the cooking compartment (14) or via the cooking compartment bypass (44).
9. Steam cooker device at least according to claim 7, characterised by a regulation and/or control unit (52) which is provided to channel off the fluid by way of the valve unit (36) via the cooking compartment bypass (44) at least during decalcification and/or cleaning.
10. Steam cooker device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the steam generator (22) comprises at least a pipe (64) which, in at least one operating state, channels a fluid from the water tank (24) to the evaporation unit (32).
11. Steam cooker device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the steam generator (22) has a remaining water tank (24) and a fresh water tank (26) and a valve unit (34) which is provided to switch between a feed pipe to the evaporation unit (32) from the remaining water tank (24) and a feed pipe to the evaporation unit (32) from the fresh water tank (26).
12. Steam cooker with a steam cooker device (12) according to one of the preceding claims.
13. Method for the use of a steam cooker device (12) comprising a muffle (16) which delimits a cooking compartment (14) and a steam generator (22) having an evaporation unit (32) and a cooking compartment drainage device (54), wherein a liquid fluid is retained in the cooking compartment (14) in at least one operating state and wherein the steam generator (22) has at least one water tank (24, 26), characterised in that the cooking compartment drainage device (54) has a drainage pipe (56), wherein a fluid is channelled from the cooking compartment (14) into the water tank (24) by way of the drainage pipe (56).

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